The National Arena Association (NAA) has appointed Steve Sayer, Senior Vice President & General Manager at The O2, as Chair.
Sayer, whose leadership of The O2 has seen the AEG venue celebrate consecutive years of record-breaking growth, assumed the position from 1st January 2026 and has set out a clear vision for his tenure. This includes continued advocacy for the NAA within government on policies that directly impact arenas, fostering a culture of collaboration and the sharing of best practice among members, and working closely with the LIVE (Live Music Industry Venues & Entertainment) Association to help shape the future of live music in the UK.
On his appointment, Sayer commented: “I’m deeply honoured to have been selected as Chair of the NAA, and to lead this powerful industry body in representing and advocating for the interests of arenas in the UK. The O2 has been a proud and active member of the NAA for over 18 years, and we’ve truly valued the sharing of knowledge and best practice, and the significant impact that the NAA can have as a collective on the issues that matter to our industry. I’m excited to build on the NAA’s recent work alongside the Government and DCMS on policy and legislative issues, from business rates to ticketing, and to continue championing the critical contribution that arenas make to the UK economy.”
Serving a three-year term, Sayer succeeds OVO Arena Wembley’s Vice President & General Manager, John Drury, who has now taken on the role of Deputy Chair. Under Drury’s leadership, the NAA worked closely with LIVE on the establishment of a fundraising mechanic to support grassroots venues – an initiative which has become firmly embedded in the live ecosystem and supported by NAA members. Drury’s tenure also saw the establishment of the NAA’s ED&I working group, and the launch of the NAA Green Guide – a resource to help arenas across the country operate more sustainably.
Drury added: “It’s been a privilege to Chair the NAA, which is well established as a vital part of our live music ecosystem. I’m pleased to be able to hand over to Steve Sayer, who will bring a pair of safe hands and much-respected experience to the role.”
The UK arena market continues to go from strength-to-strength and is a major force in driving economic impact for local communities. Research commissioned by the NAA found that 14.5m people attended arena events in 2024, across 2,159 performances. NAA arenas generate £1.85bn in economic activity, of which £648m is spent in the local economy outside the venues – demonstrating the fundamental impact of arena events on the UK economy. Further to this, analysis shows that each arena event in the UK creates spend on the high street of around £350K in restaurants, pubs, hotels, transport and shops.
The NAA brings together the UK and Ireland’s Arena network, promoting best practice and knowledge sharing between its members. Established in 1991, it acts as a forum for event and concert venue managers with a minimum seated capacity of 5,000.
